Buckle



April 1 P. w. WHITE ET AL BUCKLE 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed Oct. 9, 1948 INVENTORS Paul W W/z ie a By Joseph Li zie/15g a ar/Z5 5- April 1, 1952 P. w. WHITE ET AL 2,591,648

BUCKLE "iled Oct. 9. 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 45, 4s 40 6 A i293 y Josep/z .Sa/zuiz f 7/ PM W Willie and clam/25;:

Patented Apr. 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUCKLE Paul W. White and Joseph J. Schutz, New Haven, Conn., assignors to Parva Products Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application October 9, 1948, Serial No. 53,648

Claims. 1

, This invention relates to buckles, more particularly to slid buckles adapted for use on belts, straps or the like for adjustably and detachably securing or supporting garments or other articles, and the invention has for an object the provision of slide buckles which are efficient in operation, inexpensive to manufacture and attractive in appearance.

The invention, while applicable to various types of slide buckles is particularly useful in connection with and constitutes improvements in buckles of the type disclosed in prior Patents No. 2,361,895, issued October 31, 1944 and No. 2,334,462, issued November 15, 1943, to Paul W. White, and in a prior copending application of the present inventors, Serial No. 26,878, filed May 13, 1948 for Buckle, now Patent No. 2,549,735, issued April 17, 1951. Slide buckles embodying the constructions shown in the said prior patents when formed of sheet metal or of cast or molded material and proportioned as illustrated therein provide an attractive appearance and have been found to be sufficiently reliable in operation for many purposes, but certain objections have been encountered from the standpoint of production or quantity manufactured and in the said copending application there is described and claimed a slide buckle of improved construction which may be manufactured at low cost and which preferably employs a die cast metal frame- It is an object of the present invention to provide a slide buckle of somewhat different construction and design than that shown in the said copending application, which is particularly adapted for use on belts and which likewise includes provision fo low cost manufacture of the frame and slide and for ready assembly of the .two parts into a finished buckle.

frame with the nd members of the slide disposed in the grooves and means are provided for blocking the slide against return movement into the cut away portion after insertion of the slide into the grooves and movement therealong to a po- .sition forwardly of the frame, the slide therebybeing retained permanently in the frame for limited longitudinal movement along the grooves.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, references should now be had to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a buckle embodying the present invention and applied to a belt strap;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view on a somewhat larger scale taken from the rear side of the buckle and belt, and being partially broken away more clearly to illustrate the construction;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the slide which forms a part of the buckle shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the slide shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view showing the frame and slide of the buckle of Fig. 1 during the process of assembly;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5 but showing the buckle after the assembly operation has been completed;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view on a larger scale taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a rear elevational view similar to Fig. 5 showing a buckle constituting a further embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 99 of Fig. 8 and showing the fram and slide in another position during the process of assembly;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the buckle after completion of the assembly operation;

. Fig. 11 is a rear elevational view of another form of buckle fram embodying the invention;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a buckle employing the frame of Fig. 11 and the slide of Fig. 3 after completion of the assembly operation;

Fig. 13 is a rear elevational view of still another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 14 is a detailed sectional view taken along the line l4-l4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 but omitting certain of the parts; and

Fig. 16 is a, perspective view of one of the looking members employed in the buckle of Fig. 13.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, of the drawings, the invention is shown as embodied in .a buckle comprising a frame 20 having nd cross bars 2| and 22 connected by side bars 23 and 24.

As shown, the frame 20 is of relatively massive construction and is preferably formed by die casting from a relatively light metal. The cross Cooperating with the frame 29 in order tocomplete the slide buckle is a slide 29 which comprises a gripping bar 39 and a pull-up bar 3| connected by suitable side bars or end mem-' bers 32. As shown in Fig. 4, the gripping bar 39 extends out the plane of the slide and may be provided with a knurled surface as indicated when the buckle is in use with the slide and the frame assembled. Although the particular type of slide 29 has been found to produce entirely satisfactory operation, it will be understood that other slide constructions may be employed, as for example, the slides shown in the aforesaid prior patents and application;

As shown in Figs. 2 and '7, the free end 33 of the belt is threaded behind. the cross bar' 2i of the frame and the gripping bar 3! of. the slide and is then passed through the strap receiving openings 34 and 35 respectively provided by the side bars and cross bars of the slide and the frame. The strap then passes over the gripping barof the slide 33 and in front of the cross bar 22 on the frame, the extreme end: being: tucked into the belt loop 21. When tension is applied to the belt, the pull-up bar 3| on the slide functions to move the slide longitudinally with respect to the frame whereupon the belt is clamped between the gripping bar 30 on the slide and the inclined rear surface: 28 of the cross bar 2| on the frame. As shown in Fig. 2, the side bars 23 and 24 of the frame 20' are provided with longitudinally extending grooves 36' in the respective inner surfaces thereof for receiving the end members 32 of the slide 29. The grooves 36 are defined by longitudinal walls which respectively constitute" front, rear and outer walls, and by transversely extending end walls. the inner sides of the grooves being open whereby the slide is supported for relative longitudinal movement with respect to the frame.

When employing buckle frames formed of die cast metal or similarly formed other materi als, difficulties are encountered in providing means for assembling the slide in the frame while maintaining an attractive finished appearancefor the buckle. In accordance with the present invention, as shown best in Figs. 5', 6 and '7, each of the grooves 36' in the side bars 23 and 24 of the frame 29 has a portion of its outer wall cut away to a greater depth to provide cut away portions 31 of such depth as to permit the slide 29 to be inserted into the grooves 35 in the angular relation shown in Fig. 5, whereupon the slide may be rotated to the aligned position shown in Fig. 6 and moved forwardly along the grooves. In addition to the grooves 36, each of the side bars 23' and 24 is provided with an aperture 33 which intersects the corresponding groove and is adapted to receive a suitable stop member or pin 39 (Fig. '7), which may be pressed into the aperture 39 with a force fit after the slide has been assembled in the position of Figs. 6 and 7. The pins 39 thus serve to block the slide against return movement into the cut away por- 4 tions 31 of the grooves 36 so that the slide 29 is permanently retained in assembled relation with the frame 20 for limited sliding movement relative to the frame.

In constructing slide buckles in accordance with the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, the apertures 38 may be cast in the side bars 23 and 24 at the time that the frame 29 is formed and the grooves 36 along with the cut away portions 31 may thereafter be formed in the side bars by suitable milling or cutting operations. After the pins 39 have been pressed into the apertures 38, suitable polishing. andv finishing operations may be employed' so as substantially to conceal the ends of the pins 39 and thus preserve the attractive appearance of the buckle as shown best in Fig. 2. While cut away portions 31 have been shown formed in each of the side bars 23 and 24 it will, of course, be understood that a cut away portion of sufficient depth in only one of the sidebars may be employed in order to permit assembly of the slide in the frame.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 8,. 9 and 10, the buckle comprises aframe 42 which is substantially identical with the frame 20 and includes the cross bars 4| and 42 connected by side bars 43 and 44. In this embodiment of the invention, however, the side bars 43 and 44' are provided with: grooves 45 formed in the inner surfaces thereof which extend substantially the entire length of the side bars. Adjacent the rear end of the buckle frame the rear wall of each of the grooves 45 is cut away to provide openings 46 into which the slide 29 may readily be inserted as shown in Fig. 8 for movement along the grooves 45 to the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10. In lieu of the apertures 38' and the pins 39 provided in the previous embodiment of the invention, each of the side bars 43 and 44 is provided with a cavity 4'! formed in the rear surface thereof forwardly of the slide receiving opening 46 in order to provide a weakened area 48 immediately behind each of the grooves 45. After the slide has been assembled in the frame 40 and moved to the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the: weakened area 48 may be forced inwardly and ruptured along one" side thereof to provide an inwardly projecting lug. or tongue as shown in: Fig. 10, which extends into the grooves 45 so as to block the slide. 29' against return movement into the opening provided by the cut away portions 46.

. so that the slide is permanently retained in the frame for limited sliding movement relative thereto. In forming the buckle frameemployed in this embodiment of the invention the cavity 41 as well as the cut away portions 46 may be formed in the frame during the casting operation and the grooves 45 thereafter milled or cut in the inner surfaces of the sidebars 43 and 44 thereof. If desired, only the cavities 41 need be cast into the side bar, and the cut away portions 46' may be thereafter formed at the same time that the slots 45 are cut or milled.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 11 and 12 the buckle frame 59 is provided with longitudinal slots and cut away portions identical with those provided in the frame 29 of Figs. 1 to 7, but as shown best in Fig. 11, the side bars, in lieu of the apertures 38, are provided with L shaped slots 51 which intersect the longitudinal grooves and provide ears or tongues 52 'which' may be depressed into the grooves as shown in Fig. 12 so as to lock the slide 29 in the frame after insertion thereinto in the manner heretofore described.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 13 to 16, inclusive, a somewhat different construction is shown, the frame 60 thereof having in each of the side bars 6| and 62 a pair of rearwardly facing grooves 63 and 64 which may be cast in the side bars at the time the frame is formed. The grooves 64 open into the strap receiving opening of the frame as well as to the rear surface of the side bars and are adaptedto receive the end members 32 of the slide 29 as showniin Figs. 13 and 14. In. accordance with ':this embodiment of the invention a pair of locking members 65 are provided, which, as shown best in Fig. 16, are substantially L shaped so as to provide leg portions 66 and 61. After the slide 29 has been positioned inthe groove 64, the locking members .65 may be permanently secured to the frame .60 by pressing the leg 66 of each of the" members 65 into the grooves 63 with aforce fit 1;to.1a position; in which the other leg 6] is substantially flush with the rear surface of the side bar, the leg 61 of the locking member in its final .position overlyingthe groove 64 and the slide 29 ,so z as jpermanently to secure the slide. in the gframe and prevent movement of the slide out of since many modifications may be made, and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims, .to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is desired to be secured by Letters Paten of the United States is: "l. A slide buckle comprising a cast frame having longitudinally extending grooves formed in' the opposed inner faces of the side bars thereof, a slide having a. length greater than the spacing of said inner faces, at least one of said grooves including a cutaway portion in a longitudinal wall thereof permitting the insertion of the opposed ends of said slide into said grooves for support thereby, and means for at least partially blocking said cutaway portion after insertion of said slide to retain said slide permanently in said frame for limited longitudinal movement along said grooves.

2. A slide buckle comprising a cast frame hav ing longitudinally extending grooves out into the inner faces of the side bars thereof, a slide having a length greater than the spacing of said inner faces and having end members adapted to slide in said grooves, at least one of said side bars having a portion of the material thereof cut away adjacent the groove therein to permit assembly of said slide in said frame with said end members disposed in said grooves, and means for blocking said grooves to prevent movement of said slide into said cutaway portion after insertion into said grooves to retain said slide permanently in said frame for limited longitudinal movement along said grooves.

3. A slide buckle comprising a cast frame having longitudinally extending grooves cut into the inner faces of the side bars thereof, a slide having a length greater than the spacing of said inner tained in said framefor limited faces and having end members adapted to slide in said grooves, at least one of said side bars having a portion of the material thereof cutaway adjacent the groove therein to permit assembly of said slide in said frame with said end members disposed in said grooves, said frame side bars including apertures intersecting said grooves adjacent said cut away portion, :and pins permanently positionable in said apertures for blocking said grooves to prevent returnmovement of said slide into said cutaway portion after insertion of said slide into said grooves and movement to' a position forwardly of said frame whereby said slide is permanently retained in said frame-for limited sliding movement along said grooves 4. A slide buckle comprising a cast frame having longitudinally extending grooves cut into the inner faces of the side bars thereof, and a slide having a length greater than the spacingof'said inner faces and having end members adapted to slideinsaid grooves, at least one of said sidebars having a portionof the material thereof cutaway adjacent the groove therein to permit assembly .of 'saidslide in said frame with said end members disposed in said grooves, saidframe side bars having weakened areas. inv one wall of said grooves adjacent saidcut away portion adapted to be deformed so as to provide tongues extending. into .said grooves for blocking said slide against return movement into said out awayportion after insertion of said slide into saidlgrooves and movement to a position forwardly of said frame, whereby said slide is permanently resliding movement along said grooves.

5. A slide buckle comprising a cast frame having side bars and cross bars defining a strap receiving opening, said side bars having longitudinal grooves formed in the inner faces thereof, a slide having a length greater than the width of said opening and having end members adapted to slide in said grooves, at least one of said grooves having a portion of theouter wall. thereof cut away to a greater depth than the remainder of said outer wall tozpermit insertion of said slide into said grooves, and means thereafter movable into said grooves for blocking said slide against movement into the portion of said grooves including said cut away wall whereby said slide is permanently retained in said frame for limited longitudinal movement in said grooves.

6. A slide buckle comprising a cast frame having side bars and cross bars defining a strap receiving opening, said side bars having longitudinal grooves formedin the inner faces thereof, a slide having a length greater than the width of said opening and having end members adapted to slide in said grooves, at least one of said grooves having a portion of the outer wall thereof cut away to a greater depth than the remainder of said outer wall to permit insertion of said slide into said grooves, said frame side bars including apertures intersecting said grooves ad-.

jacent said cut away portion, and pins positionable in said apertures for blocking said grooves to prevent movement of said slide into said cut away portion, whereby said slide is permanently retained in said frame forwardly of said pins for limited sliding movement in said grooves.

'7. A slide buckle comprising a cast frame having side bars and cross bars defining a strap receiving opening, said side bars having longitudinal grooves formed in the inner faces thereof, and a slide having a length greater than the width of said opening and having end members adapted to slide in said grooves, at least one of said grooves having aportion of the outer wall thereof cut away to a greater depth than the remainder of said outer wall to permit insertion of said slide into said grooves, said frame side bars each including a tongue formed in a wall of said grooves and depressible into said grooves after insertion of said slide therein, said tongues being disposed adjacent said cut away portion whereby said slide is blocked against movement into said cut away portion and is permanently retained in said frame forwardly of said tongues for limited sliding movement in said grooves.

8. .A slide buckle comprising a cast frame having side bars and cross bars defining a strap receiving opening, said side bars having longitudinal grooves formed in the inner faces thereof, a slide having a length greater than the width of said opening and having end members adapted to .slide in said grooves, at least one of said side bars having a portion of the rear wall thereof cut away adjacent one end of the groove therein to provide .an opening for insertion of said slide into said grooves, and means positioned forwardly of said opening and movable into said grooves to block said slide against return movement into said opening after insertion into said grooves and movement to a position forwardly of said frame, whereby said slide is permanently retained in said frame for limited sliding movement along said grooves.

9,. A slide buckle comprising a cast frame having side bars and cross bars defining a strap receiving opening, said side bars having longitudinal grooves formed in the inner faces thereof, and a slide having a length greater than the width of said opening and having end members adapted to slide in said grooves, at least one of said :side bars having a portion of the rear wall thereof cut away adjacent one end of the groove therein to provide an opening for insertion .of

said slide into said grooves, said frame side "bars having weakened areas formed therein during casting of said frame, said areas being positioned forwardly of said opening and the material in said areas being depressible into said grooves to form stops therein for blocking said'slide against return movement into said opening after insertion into said opening and movement along .Said grooves to a position forwardly of said frame, whereby said slide is permanently retained in said frame for limited sliding movement along said grooves.

10. A slide buckle comprising a cast frame having side bars and cross bars defining a strap receiving opening, said side bars having longitudinal grooves formed in the inner faces thereof, a slide having a length greater than the width of said opening and having end members adapted to slide in said grooves, at least one of said grooves being cut away throughout at least a portion of its length to provide a rearwardly facing opening permitting insertion of said slide into said grooves, said side bar containing said cut away groove having a groove formed in the rear face thereof and extending parallel to said cut away groove, and an L shaped insert member having one leg adapted to be press fitted into said parallel groove and another leg adapted to overlie said cut away portion to close the same and retain said slide permanently in said frame for limited longitudinal movement along said grooves.

PAUL W. WHITE. JOSEPH J. SCHUTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 495,633 Hoyt Apr. 18, 1893 1,038,256 Wright Sept. 10, 1912 2,156,870 Rineer et a1. May 2, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS I Number Country Date 139,026 Great Britain Feb. 26, 1920 

